BZFS can be built to support the loading of external libraries as plug-ins. These plug-ins can alter or replace the logic applied by the server, as well as automate many common tasks.

Plug-ins are one of the more popular ways to apply modifications to the game. They do not require modifications of the BZFS application source code so it can be kept up to date with out the need to constantly apply patches. They have also proven to be a very simple method for distributing modifications from developers to players.

Overview

Plug-ins are compiled dynamic link libraries, that are built for the same OS/RuntimeEnvironment as the BZFS server that hosts them. On Microsoft Windows they are built as DLL files. On Linux and other Unix-like systems they are built as .so files.

Use

Plug-ins are loaded at startup by the -loadplugin option, or at run time with the /loadplugin command. If the full path to the plug-in is not specified, then BZFS will search a number of known sub directories for the plug-in as it attempts to load it. Using a valid path to the plug-in on load is highly recommended. While playing, all plug-ins loaded onto the server are visible with the /listplugins command.

Parameters

Some plug-ins take parameters that are passed to the plug-in on load. This is often a numeric value, or a path to a file. To pass a parameter to a plug-in, simply add a ',' after the plug-in name or path, and then add the parameter. Parameters can not have spaces, due to the way BZFS parses command line options and / commands.

On load, plug-ins install a number of callbacks and event handlers with the hosting BZFS that are called when specific events happen. This allows the plug-in to perform additional actions on these events, or if need be, alter the results of the default logic of the server.

Search Paths

BZFS searches for plug-ins in two standard locations: the config directory and the global plug-ins directory. The config directory is where the BZFlag config.cfg file is located, and the global plug-ins directory is $(prefix)/lib/bzflag/.

BZFS API

All plug-ins are linked to the BZFS API. This programing layer provides the interface to the BZFS application. All events and functions that a plug-in can call are in the BZFS API.

Standard plug-ins

The BZFlag Source distribution contains a number of plug-ins that are maintained by the project developers.
These plug-ins are located in the /plugins directory.

When that finishes successfully the plug-in should be ready to use as described above.

On Mac OS X

In Xcode on Mac OS X, follow these instructions:

Create a new target for your plug-in.

Xcode 5 (and below): Click on the BZFlag project name in the project navigator. Click Add Target, and create a new C/C++ Library. Name the plugin, and select "Dynamic" for type.

Xcode 6: Click on the BZFlag project in the project navigator. Go the File > New > Target. When prompted for the template for the target, under the "OS X" section, select the "Framework & Library" section and finally select "Library." In the next dialog, select "None (Plain C/C++ Library)" for the Framework and "Dynamic" for the type.

In the project navigator, move the new library target from the bottom of the screen into the "Targets" group.

Click on the BZFlag project name in the project navigator again. In the list of targets, select the BZFlag application target. In the Build Phases tab, in the Target Dependencies pane, add your new library target as a dependency of the application target. Also add it to the Copy Files phase for the PlugIns directory.

Find the Architecture build setting for your new library. Make sure it is the same architecture as the main codebase, or click Levels, click the Architecture setting under your library target, click Other, and delete the setting. This will make it assume the overall project build architecture.

Find the Executable Prefix build setting for your new library, and delete the "lib" setting.

Add your source file(s) to the project, and make them members of your library target; ensure you select the "Copy items if needed" checkbox and to choose "Create groups."

Build as usual.

Preparing a Linux BZFS

In order to run plugins in BZFS, you need to recompile it with the --enable-shared option on the configure script.

Note that as of 2.4.0 the BZFlag configuration has --enable-shared automatically enabled.

$ ./configure --enable-shared --disable-client;
make;
make install;

Plug-in Development

There is still documentation to be done here!! If you feel up to the task, please have a go at it. Specifically what needs to be added is: Describe the basics of plug-in development.

History

The plug-in system was added in BZFlag V. 2.0.4 and was initially met with a lukewarm reception by some of the core developers and the maintainer. The community has since embraced the concept and built a multitude of useful modifications, many that have been incorporated into the project as standard plug-ins.

For Version 3.0 major changes to the BZFS API have been made to increase its lifespan.